accustom

verb

ac·​cus·​tom ə-ˈkə-stəm 

accustomed; accustoming; accustoms

transitive verb

: to make familiar with something through use or experience

accustomation

ə-ˌkə-stə-ˈmā-shən 

noun

Synonyms

• acquaint
• familiarize
• initiate
• introduce
• orient
• orientate

Examples of accustom in a Sentence

the task of accustoming new recruits to shipboard life

Recent Examples on the Web

For a lion accustomed to around-the-clock human care, four days alone in the Arizona desert—subsisting on nothing but sandwiches and water—was an extraordinary feat. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025

From my former colleagues in Congress to defense-industry experts, the world’s premier fighter jet is accustomed to criticism for issues with cost, production and more. —Fox News Staff, Fox News, 4 Jan. 2025

Northern California is accustomed to frequent earthquakes, particularly in areas like Cobb and The Geysers, where geothermal activity can trigger smaller quakes regularly. —Daniel Hunt, Sacramento Bee, 2 Jan. 2025

Back then, Americans were accustomed to counting down rocket launches and atomic bomb blast tests. —Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 31 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English acustomen "to habituate (reflexive or intransitive)," borrowed from Anglo-French acustumer, acostumer, from a-, prefix forming transitive verbs (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + -customer, costomer, verbal derivative of custume custom entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing accustom

• accustom oneself to

Kids Definition

accustom

verb

ac·​cus·​tom ə-ˈkəs-təm 

: to make familiar